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MMN Player of the Week: Josh Rodriguez

By Former Writers

May 27, 2013 2 Comments

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There have been a few hitters throughout the organization to have big weeks at the plate, but none of them are as hot as Josh Rodriguez is right now. His recent hot streak for the Binghamton Mets has earned him today’s honor of being named MMN Player of the Week!

The B-Mets put together a 4-3 record over the past seven days, and Rodriguez always seemed to be in the middle of a rally. The infielder collected 14 hits over the last week’s worth of ballgames, which is good enough for a ridiculous .518 average. That outrageous average includes three doubles, one home run, eight runs scored, seven RBIs, and seven walks.

Rodriguez also enjoyed four multi-hit games (three hits on three different occasions) and drew a walk in six different games (five consecutive to start the week). In 47 games played and 152 at-bats, the shortstop is now hitting .296/.432/.434 with four homers, 23 RBIs, and 34 runs scored.

To start the season, Josh was a little slow out of the gate. He compiled a triple slash of .244/.375/.372 through the month of April, but his bat has come to life now that the calendar has flipped to May. He’s enjoyed a .351/.489/.500 line in 23 games played and 74 at-bats this month. He probably doesn’t want June to come at the rate he’s hitting.

What’s been interesting to see about Rodriguez’s season thus far is that while he’s hitting for a much higher average against southpaw pitching (.326 avg vs. LHP, .284 vs. RHP in ’13), all of his power has come against right-handers. Of the 13 extra-base hits in 2013, Josh has hit all but two of them against right-handers, with a pair of doubles being the lone exception.

I’ve enjoyed seeing how often Rodriguez has been drawing walks this season. His 35 free passes are the most in Binghamton, and his 18.3% walk rate is the highest of his professional career. The .432 on-base percentage he owns is good enough for second on the team, only behind Allan Dykstra‘s .436. Also, his .376 BABIP is currently the highest it’s been since he posted a .413 mark in 131 at-bats with the Cleveland Indians’ Double-A affiliate in 2009.

Rodriguez has been a big reason as to why the B-Mets have been keeping pace with the first place Portland Sea Dogs. Currently standing at 28-22, Binghamton is one game back of Portland, and two back in the loss column. If Rodriguez continues to hit well alongside players like Cesar Puello and Cory Vaughn, the B-Mets should be watching themselves continue to climb in the standings.

Congratulations to Josh Rodriguez on earning our second-ever MMN Player of the Week honors! Keep tearing the cover off the ball.

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